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Mark 9 Jesus Teaches and Performs Miracles

1 And he said to them, “I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.”

2 The Transfiguration
After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them.

3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them.

4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.

5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

6 (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)

7 Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”

8 Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.

9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

10 They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant.

11 And they asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”

12 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected?

13 But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.”

14 The Healing of a Boy With an Evil Spirit
When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them.

15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.

16 “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked.

17 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech.

18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”

19 “O unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”

20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.

21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”
“From childhood,” he answered.

22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.”

24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”

26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.”

27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.

28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”

30 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were,

31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.”

32 But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.

33 Who Is the Greatest?
They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?”

34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.

35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

36 He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them,

37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”

38 Whoever Is Not Against Us Is for Us
“Teacher,” said John, “we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”

39 “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me,

40 for whoever is not against us is for us.

41 I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.

42 Causing to Sin
“And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck.

43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out.

45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.

47 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell,

48 where
“‘their worm does not die,
and the fire is not quenched.’

49 Everyone will be salted with fire.

50 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”

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Analysis of Mark Chapter 9

The ninth chapter of the Gospel of Mark is a rich and multifaceted text that encompasses several key events in the ministry of Jesus. This chapter includes the Transfiguration, a significant exorcism, teachings about discipleship, and prophetic teachings about Jesus’ death and resurrection. In this analysis, we will explore these sections in greater detail, offering insights and interpretations that enhance our understanding of the text and highlight its theological significance.

The Transfiguration (Mark 9:1-13)

The chapter opens with Jesus making a profound statement: “And he said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power'” (Mark 9:1). This verse foreshadows the subsequent event of the Transfiguration, which serves as a powerful revelation of Jesus’ divine nature and glory.

In verses 2-8, we witness the Transfiguration itself. Jesus takes Peter, James, and John to a high mountain, where he is transfigured before them. His clothes become dazzling white, and the prophets Elijah and Moses appear, conversing with Jesus. This event is laden with symbolism and theological meaning:

  • The High Mountain: Mountains often symbolize closeness to God and revelation in the Bible. The ascent to a high place signifies entering a holy and transformative space.
  • The Transfiguration of Jesus: The dazzling white garments indicate Jesus’ divine glory and purity. This moment reveals his true divine identity to the disciples, serving as a foretaste of his resurrection glory.
  • Elijah and Moses: These prophets represent the Law and the Prophets, respectively, pointing to the fulfillment of the Old Testament in Jesus Christ. Moses symbolizes the Torah or Law, while Elijah symbolizes the prophetic tradition. Their presence underscores Jesus’ role as the culmination of God’s redemptive plan.

Peter’s response, offering to set up three shelters (verse 5), reflects his initial misunderstanding. He wants to preserve the moment, but fails to grasp the transient nature of the vision and its purpose. The voice from the cloud stating, “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” (verse 7) echoes the voice heard at Jesus’ baptism (Mark 1:11), affirming Jesus’ divine sonship and authority, and urging the disciples to heed his teachings.

As they descend the mountain, Jesus instructs them to keep the vision a secret until after his resurrection (verses 9-10). This command preserves the gradual revelation of his identity and mission, allowing the full understanding to unfold in the light of the resurrection. The discussion about Elijah’s return (verses 11-13) clarifies John the Baptist’s role as the prophetic forerunner, preparing the way for Jesus, just as Elijah was expected to return before the Messiah.

The Healing of a Boy with an Evil Spirit (Mark 9:14-29)

Upon returning to the other disciples, Jesus finds them embroiled in a dispute with teachers of the law, while a desperate father pleads for the healing of his demon-possessed son (verses 14-15). This scene highlights the disciples’ limitations and the necessity of faith.

The inability of the disciples to cast out the demon (verse 18) prompts Jesus’ lament over the “unbelieving generation” (verse 19). This term rebukes not only the disciples but also the wider community for their lack of faith and spiritual insight. The interaction between Jesus and the boy’s father is particularly poignant. The father’s plea, “If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us” (verse 22), is met with Jesus’ challenge, “‘If you can’? Everything is possible for one who believes” (verse 23).

The father’s heartfelt cry, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (verse 24), captures the tension between faith and doubt that many believers experience. Jesus responds not only to the father’s partial faith but also to his honest acknowledgment of its insufficiency. The exorcism that follows demonstrates Jesus’ authority over evil and his compassion.

In verses 28-29, the disciples inquire privately about their failure to drive out the demon. Jesus’ response, “This kind can come out only by prayer,” emphasizes the necessity of spiritual disciplines and dependence on God. This incident underscores the theme of faith and the power of Jesus to overcome evil, while highlighting the disciples’ need for deeper spiritual reliance.

Jesus Predicts His Death a Second Time (Mark 9:30-32)

In a private moment with his disciples, Jesus once again predicts his impending betrayal, death, and resurrection (verses 30-31). This is the second passion prediction in the Gospel of Mark (the first being in Mark 8:31-33). Jesus’ succinct and clear statement about his fate is met with the disciples’ confusion and fear to ask further questions (verse 32).

This prediction is crucial as it forms part of the tripartite structure of passion predictions in Mark’s Gospel, each followed by a teaching on discipleship. Jesus is intentionally preparing his disciples for the reality of his suffering Messiahship, challenging prevalent notions of a triumphant, worldly messiah. The disciples’ hesitance to engage signifies their struggle to fully comprehend and accept the path of suffering that Jesus must take.

Who is the Greatest? (Mark 9:33-37)

Upon arriving in Capernaum, Jesus addresses a dispute among his disciples about who is the greatest (verse 33). This discussion reveals their preoccupation with status and honor, contrasting sharply with Jesus’ teachings on humility and servanthood.

Jesus turns conventional notions of greatness upside down by asserting, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all” (verse 35). To illustrate his point, he takes a little child and places the child among them, saying, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me” (verses 36-37).

This use of a child is symbolic. In the cultural context, children were considered insignificant and without status. By elevating a child as the model of greatness, Jesus teaches that true greatness is found in humility and service to the lowliest. This section fundamentally redefines leadership and greatness within the kingdom of God, aligning it with selfless service and vulnerability.

Whoever Is Not Against Us Is for Us (Mark 9:38-41)

John reports to Jesus about a man driving out demons in Jesus’ name, but who is not part of their group (verse 38). This reflects the disciples’ exclusivist mindset and their desire to control Jesus’ ministry. Jesus counters this by stating, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me. For whoever is not against us is for us” (verses 39-40).

Jesus’ response expands the scope of discipleship and ministry, emphasizing that acts done in his name, even by those outside the immediate circle of disciples, contribute to the advancement of God’s kingdom. The emphasis is on the alignment with Jesus’ mission rather than formal affiliation with his group. This teaching fosters an inclusive understanding of the body of Christ and the work of the Spirit beyond human boundaries.

Additionally, Jesus promises that even the smallest acts of kindness, such as giving a cup of water in his name, will not go unrewarded (verse 41). This highlights the value of simple, compassionate acts as expressions of discipleship and service in the kingdom of God.

Causing to Stumble (Mark 9:42-50)

The chapter concludes with a series of teachings on causing others to stumble and the nature of discipleship. Jesus issues stern warnings against leading others into sin. He states that it would be better to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around one’s neck than to cause a little one to sin (verse 42). This metaphor underscores the seriousness of sin and the responsibility to nurture and protect the faith of others, especially the vulnerable.

Jesus then uses hyperbolic language to illustrate the radical measures required to avoid sin: the removal of a hand, foot, or eye if they cause one to stumble (verses 43-47). While not advocating literal self-mutilation, these sayings emphasize the drastic steps necessary to pursue holiness and avoid sin. The stark imagery highlights the eternal consequences of sin and the priority of spiritual integrity over physical well-being.

The repeated references to “hell, where the fire never goes out” (verse 43) and “where the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched” (verses 48) are serious reminders of the reality and gravity of judgment. These warnings encourage a vigilant and disciplined approach to personal righteousness and communal responsibility.

In verses 49-50, Jesus speaks of being “salted with fire” and the importance of maintaining one’s ‘saltiness.’ “Everyone will be salted with fire” likely refers to the purifying and refining trials that disciples will endure. Being ‘salty’ signifies being effective and preserving in one’s faith and witness. Jesus’ concluding exhortation, “Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other,” emphasizes the need for personal integrity and communal harmony within the body of Christ.

Conclusion

Mark Chapter 9 is a profound exploration of significant events and teachings in Jesus’ ministry. The Transfiguration reveals Jesus’ divine glory and affirms his fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. The healing of the demon-possessed boy underscores the necessity of faith and dependence on God. Jesus’ prediction of his death and resurrection prepares the disciples for the reality of his suffering Messiahship. His teachings on humility, inclusivity, and the severity of sin redefine true greatness and highlight the radical demands of discipleship.

Taken together, these passages offer a compelling vision of the nature of the kingdom of God, the identity and mission of Jesus, and the call to profound faith, humility, and integrity for all who follow him. Mark Chapter 9 challenges contemporary believers to embrace these values and to live out their faith with a deep sense of devotion and responsibility.